A new initiative of the Adelaide Archdiocese and Fertility Fundamentals Inc has given Catholics in South Australia increased access to information about fertility services that are aligned to their faith. Source: The Southern Cross.
A brochure called Fertility Services for Catholics has been produced for parishes and made available online through the archdiocesan website for couples interested in finding out more about natural fertility methods for either avoiding pregnancy, monitoring their reproductive health or enhancing their chances of starting a family.
With the rise in infertility and growth in assisted reproductive technology services such as IVF, Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs) and Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM) offer an alternative for not just Catholics but all couples, according to Dr Cathy Peterson who practices RRM in both Belair and Norwood.
Dr Peterson and fellow Catholic GP Dr Toni Turnbull teamed up with obstetrician Associate Professor Dr Elvis Sěman and four FAM educators to establish Fertility Fundamentals Inc in 2014.
The educators specialise in three methods of charting fertility: Creighton Model Fertility CareTM, Billings Ovulation Method and Sympto-Thermal Methods. Where underlying health issues are identified in that process, referrals can be made to Dr Peterson and Dr Turnbull who specialise in RRM.
Dr Peterson said there was an “impressive pregnancy rate” just from charting alone for couples with infertility.
“For example, research has found a 20-40 per cent pregnancy rate over 6-12 months among infertile couples once they started charting with Creighton, or 53 per cent over 24 months charting Billings.
“They had done nothing else to modify their underlying issues so recognising accurately with the help of professionals when is your most fertile time is really important. There is a lot more information and help provided than just using an app alone.”
While the FAMs mainly began as a means of avoiding pregnancy naturally, with the increase rates of infertility, the most common reason for charting now was to assist with having children.
Dr Peterson said there were a lot of factors contributing to increased infertility.
“Women are leaving it late to conceive, they have been contracepting their whole reproductive years … they don’t know their cycles and have probably had underlying issues all that time,” she said.
She said only a small percentage of her patients were Catholic or had moral issues with IVF, with many going down the natural fertility pathway because they want a healthier approach.
“I think the tide has really turned in what women want to do with their bodies,” she said.
FULL STORY
Focus on fertility for the faithful (By Jenny Brinkworth, The Southern Cross)
